Fast laps and family fun as local drivers shift into high gear at Bush Khanacross

AFTER several, external-factored false starts and postponements, the engines finally fired up on Sunday, 2 August, for Round One of the Wet-Seal Coffs Coast Bush Khanacross Series.

Held by the Coffs Harbour & District Sporting Car Club at Raleigh Motorsport Complex, the event attracted a healthy field of experienced competitors, newcomers, returning drivers and plenty of juniors.

Now in its third year, Bush Khanacross is proving there is more to grassroots motorsport than simply putting the pedal to the metal.

The event builds on the traditional paddock Khanacross format, adding a more challenging surface and flowing course lines while remaining accessible to drivers who are still learning their way around competition motoring.

For experienced drivers, it is a chance to keep their skills sharp, while for newcomers it provides a controlled environment to learn, improve and enjoy the thrill of competition.

“It’s a great way to safely build driving skills and test your current ones,” organiser Martin Smith from Coffs Harbour & District Sporting Car Club, said.

The starting grid featured competitors with vastly different levels of experience and budgets, however once the green light was given, everyone was tackling the same challenge.

Juniors were particularly well-represented.

First-timer Jett Drough took the wheel of the club car, with experienced rally driver Tony Lynch providing coaching from the passenger seat.

At the other end of the junior experience scale was Harvey Nicholson, who recorded the outright fastest time of the day in a Subaru AWD prepared by his father.

Times are recorded and outright and class awards are presented, yet organisers say winning is not the only measure of success.

“For some it’s about fun, while others use these events to keep their abilities honed,” they said.

Zahli Pell also put in a strong performance, finishing second in the ladies category while sharing a vehicle with her father Damien.

Families sharing cars are part of what makes the event different from higher-level motorsport, with competitors able to get behind the wheel without needing a huge racing budget.

Adam “Adz” Smeaton provided plenty of entertainment for spectators, combining experience behind the wheel with a strong passion for supporting the sport.

The club says there is “no right or wrong way” to compete in amateur motorsport, with drivers, vehicles, skills and budgets all contrasting widely.

“Some competitors who compete at higher level motorsport use events like these to keep their abilities honed, whereas others compete simply for the fun of it. New competitors make use of the club car, which is free for juniors to use,” said Mr Smith.

Local businesses and volunteers also play an important role in keeping grassroots motorsport on track, with Wet-Seal Coffs Coast and Raleigh Motorsport Complex among those supporting the series.

The next club event is Round Two of the Steve Arthur Electrical Khanacross Series, a grass-based paddock event planned for Sunday, 23 August.